Governor Mike Parson | 98.3 The Dove

(LISTEN): Missouri GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

September 11, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring), who chairs the Missouri Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Pensions Committee, has formally kicked off his GOP gubernatorial campaign. Senator Eigel joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri, telling listeners that there were more than 1,000 people at Friday’s campaign kickoff event in St. Charles County. Senator Eigel says it’s time “to send a bold conservative reformer who will be a champion for the people of this great state and bring a reckoning to the Jefferson City swamp.” He blasted two fellow Republicans during the live interview, Governor Mike Parson and Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). He criticized their spending proposals, saying Missouri’s state operating budget has grown from $20-billion in 2010 to $53-billion in 2023:

Drought, flooding and rural farm economy are main concerns for west-central Missouri congressman

August 14, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A west-central Missouri congressman who represents Columbia and Sedalia on Capitol Hill is inviting you to today’s Sedalia listening session on the federal farm bill, which is underway.

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore), who serves on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, says powerful committee chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) is on-hand, as is U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth), Governor Mike Parson and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe.

Some farmers in Congressman Alford’s district have faced both a drought and flooding. Other topics expected to come up today include the rural economy and milk in schools.

This morning’s listening session is taking place under the state fair’s Nucor pavilion.

(AUDIO): Missouri’s Senate Democratic leader to be honored tonight in Jefferson City

March 7, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

About 400 people are expected to pack Missouri Farm Bureau headquarters in Jefferson City this evening as Missouri’s Senate Minority Leader is honored as the statesman of the year.

State Sen. John Rizzo (D-Independence) was first elected to the House in 2010 and served three terms before being elected to the Senate in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020.

State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City), who’s served with Rizzo in both chambers, says Rizzo is well-respected on both sides of the aisle.

“We were talking about the second degree murder bill and I’ve been working with him and the colleagues on the Democratic side and he’s always trying to make sure that the Republicans and the Democrats are working together,” Senator Bernskoetter tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.”

The Missouri Times is hosting tonight’s event, which begins at 6 o’clock. Senator Bernskoetter is expecting what he calls a fantastic turnout tonight.

“I’ve never really had any trouble working with Senator Rizzo and it’s a very well-deserved honor for all the things that he’s done as a floor leader for the minority party,” Bernskoetter says.

Leader Rizzo has worked closely with members of both parties on key issues, including a bipartisan bill last year that he says was crucial for Kansas City being named as a 2026 World Cup host city. Governor Mike Parson (R) signed Rizzo’s Senate Bill 652, which provides a sales tax exemption for 2026 World Cup tickets to matches at Arrowhead Stadium.

“And when you commit to a city, what had happened in the past was shortly before the tickets went on sale, they would jack up the sales tax on all the tickets. So it was almost a requirement by FIFA to be able to have some assurances that their sales tax rates weren’t going to get hiked up, making the tickets go through the roof,” Rizzo told 939 the Eagle in June.

Leader Rizzo predicts the 2026 World Cup will generate $695-million in economic activity for Missouri. Rizzo compares it to multiple Super Bowls over a 30-day period.

(AUDIO): Missouri’s governor describes I-70 plan as a once in a lifetime opportunity

February 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Governor Mike Parson greets Missouri lawmakers on both sides of the aisle before his January 18, 2023 State of the State address (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Missouri’s governor is touting his $859-million proposal to widen and rebuild I-70 across Missouri as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Columbia business leaders are backing Governor Mike Parson’s (R) plan, which would start start in Columbia, if state lawmakers approve it. The governor touted the proposal during a recent interview with 939 the Eagle News.

“And to be able to start that right here like you said in Columbia and do the major areas with the most use right now. It’s big. This is a plan, it’s not something we’ve just thrown on the table overnight. We’ve really thought this through to see how we can really complete this I-70 project and using general revenue to help do it,” Parson says.

Governor Parson says congestion, traffic crashes and delays have caused serious issues for I-70 motorists for years. The governor says Missouri can’t afford not to do this.

Meantime, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce is urging its approximately 1,000 members to contact state lawmakers to express their support for the governor’s I-70 plan. I-70 remains one of Missouri’s busiest highways, and Governor Parson says his plan would reduce traffic injuries and deaths.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So you know it’s important, I’ve stressed that to the legislators. You know this is a matter where we all come together and get it done. No matter which side of the aisle we’re on, we just need to get this done. And we go one shot at it, so let’s make it count,” Parson says.

The governor has requested an $859-million appropriation to widen and rebuild the I-70 corridor and to add a third lane in the Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City areas.

Columbia’s Treece excited about appointment to state highway commission

August 17, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

A former Columbia mayor who’s been appointed to the state Highways and Transportation Commission says he’s excited his new bipartisan and statewide role. Brian Treece served as Columbia’s mayor from 2016 to this spring. He tells 939 the Eagle that good people can work together to make great things happen. “When I was mayor of …